How to Speak With Authority

Today is Thursday, so this post is on communication skills.

I mentioned Women’s Edge Magazine in yesterday’s post (www.womensedgemagazine.com). It is a great print mag. I found several articles in the January issue that I really liked. One article listed tips for speaking with authority. Since presentation skills are a critical component of communication skills, I’ve decided to list a few of them here, along with the names of the women who provided them.

Tips for Speaking With Authority

“Relax. If you know your subject, it should come naturally.” Cindy Anderson, CPA

“Take lot’s of deep breaths before you speak. Try to convey a sense of fun and spontaneity.” Lisa Grele Barrie

“Make sure you’ve planned what you’re going to say. Avoid the dreaded fillers like ‘um, like and you know’.” Diane Bliss

“Your believability and credibility depend on your reputation, so make sure your audience knows your qualifications beforehand. Also, don’t hesitate to appeal to emotion as well as reason.” Patty Briguglio

“Eliminate PowerPoint and just talk to your audience! Share conversation as well as information.” Mary Contando

“Be authentic and stand in it. Remember, it’s about who are, and not what you can sell someone.” Jan DeLory

“Be comfortable with yourself, so you can connect with others on a real and personal level.” Lynn F. Dickey, PhD

“Be willing to risk what you have to get what you want. Stand firm on your principles even when your knees are shaking.” Catherine Hoag

“Take up as much physical space as possible when speaking. Open yourself up to others and they will open up to you.” Erika Mangrum

"Simple…Never doubt yourself.” April Mills

“Be yourself and you’ll have the credibility you desire.” Caire B. Niver

“Adopt a warm and friendly style to put others at ease.” Billie Redmond

“Know your material and communicate it in a manner that inspires confidence and action.” Chris Young

Review these 14 pieces of common sense advice the next time you have to make a presentation. Take them to heart and put them to work. You’ll deliver a dynamite presentation. I guarantee it. After all, they’re just common sense.

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. I am not posting regularly on my www.CommonSenseGuy.com blog right now, as I want to concentrate on this one. It is still up though. Please don’t cancel your RSS feed as I will be posting there occasionally. And, you can still get a free ebook version of my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations by visiting www.CommonSenseGuy.com .